Merino man publishes survival guide

'Survival 101' lists items needed when suddenly stranded

An estimated 150,000 people get lost each year in the U.S. while traveling or recreating. Another 100,000 end up stranded in remote places.

"Once you look at these facts and the statistics, it should be obvious that it is not a matter of if you will someday be thrown into an overnight or much longer survival situation. It's just a matter of when, where and how seriously 'Murphy's Law' will strike," writes Orrin Knutson of Merino in a new book, "Survival 101: How to Bug Out and Survive the First 72 Hours."

According to Knutson, the U.S. has the best search and rescue teams in the world, and most lost people are located within 72 hours of being reported missing. Even still, sometimes it takes a while before anyone realizes a person is missing, and many police departments have a policy of waiting 24 to 72 hours before acting on a missing persons report.

His survival guide is aimed not at experienced outdoorsmen and women or "doomsday preppers," but at those who lack the knowledge or skills to stay safe if they find themselves unexpectedly stranded in a remote area. One common mistake is failing to inform anyone of your plans, including your planned destination, route and timeline.

Day hikers are one example Knutson used, saying they may have a misplaced sense that nothing bad can happen. Too often, people rely solely on "21st century toys" such as cell phones that may not have a signal in remote areas, he said. Winter driving is another common hazard, as cars can go off the road into a snowdrift and leave passengers trapped for a long time.

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A simple kit Knutson refers to as a "bug out bag" or BOB can make the survival experience a lot more tolerable, he says. And that's where his book comes in.

"Bug out" is a military term meaning pack up and move out quickly. The BOB can also be referred to as a grab and go bag or 72-hour bag. Knutson's book is an in-depth look at the basic gear needed for such a bag and how to use it. The book gives instructions on assembling and maintaining a complete BOB, as well as the minimum requirements for a more basic survival pack recommended anytime you plan on traveling a long distance or a more than two hour walk. It also includes information for building a BOB for children.

In addition to discussing the supplies needed to survive, Knutson also gives instructions on skills such as building a fire, locating water and finding shelter in the wilderness.

The knowledge found in the book is a reflection of Knutson's 60-plus years as an outdoorsman as well as his experiences as a cowboy, law enforcement officer and private investigator. He said he was inspired to write the guide in part by his family, who encouraged him to share his knowledge with others. His eldest daughter, Vickie Pennington, provided the artword for the book.

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